HENDERSON, Tenn. - The Lambuth (Tenn.) University Eagles outscored the Freed-Hardeman Lions 49-36 in the second half to overcome an eight-point halftime deficit and defeat FHU, 76-71, on Monday night in the Sports Center.
The Lions, playing at home for the first time since Nov. 15, came out on fire, scoring on their first six possessions to take a quick 13-3 lead right out of the gate. FHU then used a 12-3 run to extend its lead to 17 (27-10) midway through the first half.
But then the shooting woes that plagued the Lions on Saturday reared its ugly head again.
FHU shot just 3-of-11 for the rest of the half while turning the ball over five times in the same span as Lambuth was able to trim the Lions' advantage to eight points, 35-27, at the break.
The second half started much the same wasy as the first ended. After a Zack Frey basket to open the half, the Eagles used a 13-3 run to tie the game at 40-40. Lambuth finally took its first lead since early in the game on an Andrew Jenkins putback with 6:25 remaining. From there, the Eagles would not relinquish their lead as Jenkins' basket came in the midst of a 16-5 run that put the visitors ahead by seven (64-57) with 5:30 to play.
That's not to say, however, that Freed-Hardeman didn't make the Eagles sweat.
Shun Trevillian's driving layup with :20 remaining pulled FHU within one point, and after Antawn Coby made both ends of a double bonus, Trevillian had a wide-open look from three-point range to send the game to overtime with a couple of ticks on the clock. The shot, however, went off the back iron and with it the hopes of forcing overtime.
The loss drops FHU to 7-6 while Lambuth improves to 7-3.
Lambuth's Coby led all scorers with 18 points while Michael Young added 17 and Antawn Long 13 for the Eagles. Frey's 16 points paced FHU while Jesse Moulton added 13 as well as a game-high eight rebounds. Trevillian and Smith scored 12 and 10 points respectively. The Lions struggled from behind the arc for the second straight game, making a season-low four three pointers on 20 attempts.
The Lions return to action on Friday night as they host Southern University of New Orleans at 7:00 PM.
